Study question: What is the recognition of clinical embryology and the current status of clinical embryologists in European countries, regarding educational levels, responsibilities and workload, and need for a formal education in assisted reproductive technology (ART)? Summary answer: It is striking that the profession of clinical embryology, almost 40 years after the introduction of IVF, is still not officially recognized in most European countries. Study design, size, duration: A questionnaire about the situation in clinical embryology in the period of 2012-2013 in the respective European country was sent to ESHRE National representatives (basic scientists only) in December 2013. At this time, 28 European countries had at least one basic scientist in the ESHRE Committee of National Representatives. Participants/materials, setting, methods: The survey consisted of 46 numeric, dichotomous (yes/no) or descriptive questions. Answers were obtained from 27 out of 28 countries and the data were tabulated. Data about the numbers of 'ESHRE Certified Embryologists' were taken from the ESHRE Steering Committee for Embryologist Certification. Main results and the role of chance: In 2012, more than 7000 laboratory staff from 1349 IVF clinics in 27 European countries performed over 700 000 fresh and frozen ART cycles. Despite this, clinical embryology is only recognized as an official profession in 3 out of 27 national health systems. In most countries clinical embryologists need to be registered under another profession, and have limited possibilities for organized education in clinical embryology. Mostly they are trained for practical work by senior colleagues. ESHRE embryologist certification so far constitutes the only internationally recognized qualification; however this cannot be considered a subspecialization.
COBISS.SI-ID: 5418047
STUDY QUESTION What would be a potential impact of implementing the new ESHRE/European Society of Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE) female genital anomalies classification system on the management of women with previous diagnosis of arcuate uteri based on the modified American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) criteria? SUMMARY A significant number of women with previous diagnosis of arcuate uteri are reclassified as having partial septate uteri according to the new ESHRE/ESGE classification system which may increase the number of remedial surgical procedures.
COBISS.SI-ID: 6263103
Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in selected genes, responsible for hormonal regulation of folliculogenesis, are associated with response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and clinical characteristics of women enrolled in in vitro fertilization (IVF) programs. Results Patients with GG genotype of FSHR rs1394205 had significantly lower AMH level (P?=?0.016) and required higher rFSH dose per oocyte compared to women with AA or AG genotype (P?=?0.036). We also found higher frequency of GG genotype of FSHR rs1394205 in poor- (76.5%) than in hyper-responders (37.5%, P?=?0.002). Patients with AA genotype of FSHR rs6166 had higher level of measured bFSH compared to those with AG or GG genotypes (P?=?0.043). Women with GG genotype of AMHR rs3741664 required higher rFSH dose in comparison with patients carrying genotypes AA or AG (P?=?0.028). Conclusions The GG genotype at position rs1394205 is associated with poor ovarian response to COH. Patients with this genotype may require higher doses of rFSH for ovulation induction.
COBISS.SI-ID: 6500671
Vitrified human blastocysts show varied re-expansion capacity after warming. This prospective observational study compared behaviour of artificially collapsed blastocysts (study group patients, n = 69) to that of blastocysts that were vitrified without artificial collapse (control group patients, n = 72). Warmed blastocysts were monitored by time-lapse microscopy and blastocoel re-expansion speed and growth patterns compared between study and control groups. These parameters were also retrospectively compared between blastocysts that resulted in live birth and those that failed. Artificially collapsed blastocysts re-expanded on average 15.01?µm2/min faster than control blastocysts (P = 0.0013). Warmed blastocysts expressed four different patterns of blastocoel growth. The pattern showing contractions at the end of culture was observed to have a lower prevalence in control blastocysts, which coincided with the lower incidence of hatching in this group. Re-expansion speed and prevalence of growth patterns were comparable between blastocysts that did and did not result in a live birth. This was seen in the study and control groups. Despite faster re-expansion and different growth patterns of artificially collapsed blastocysts, live birth rate did not differ between groups. However, this result should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size and high risk of bias.
COBISS.SI-ID: 6178111
Study question: Is there any benefit to including the routine examination by ultrasound of the bladder, ureters and kidneys of women with endometriosis? Summary answer: The benefit of examination of the complete urinary tract of women with suspected endometriosis is that ureteric endometriosis, with or without hydronephrosis, can be detected which facilitates early intervention to prevent nephropathy. Study design, size, duration: This was a prospective observational study, conducted at a teaching hospital over a period of 14 months. A total of 848 women presenting with chronic pelvic pain were included into the study. Participants/materials, setting, methods: All women with chronic pelvic pain underwent a detailed transvaginal and transabdominal pelvic ultrasound examination to investigate possible causes of their symptoms. This included a systematic assessment of the urinary bladder, pelvic sections of the ureters and kidneys.The ultrasound findings were compared with findings at surgery and the results of targeted urological imaging and interventions. Main results and the role of chance: A total of 848 women presenting with chronic pelvic pain were included into the study. 28/848 women (3.3% 95% CI 2.1-4.5) had evidence of urinary tract abnormalities on initial ultrasound scan. Among these 17/848 (2.0% 95% CI 1.06-2.94) had evidence of urinary tract endometriosis, whilst 11/848 (1.3% 95% CI 0.54-2.06) women had other urinary tract abnormalities. Among women with urinary tract endometriosis 11/17 (65%) had evidence of ureteric involvement, 3/17 (18%) had both ureteric and bladder disease and 3/17 (18%) had bladder disease only. 12/17 (59%) women with urinary tract endometriosis also had evidence of hydronephrosis.
COBISS.SI-ID: 5528383